Word Origin & History

last "following all the others," from O.E. latost (adj.) and lætest (adv.), superl. of læt (adj.) and late (adv.). Cognate with O.Fris. lest, Du. laatst, O.H.G. laggost, Ger. letzt). Adj. Last-ditch "on the last line of defense" is from 1715, attributed to William of Orange. Last hurrah is from the title of Edwin O'Connor's 1956 novel. Last word "final, definitive statement" is from 1881. Related: Lasting; lastly.

Example Sentences for last

The sidewalk, the last redoubt of pedestrian safety, has been breached.

The state climatologist reckons that it could last for the rest of the decade.

Your last paragraph though really made me rethink things.

Scientists don't know why some moments seem to last longer than others.

The current heat wave comes after record or near-record temperatures last month in many parts of the country.

He utterly forgot about the last remaining harvester ant.

Your last post is directed at the concept of our technology being stolen.

The last few days have produced news of some important job shifts at university presses.

But the industry ended up with a glut of beef and over the last few weeks more companies have offered their meat for sale.